Local duo release debut CD
WHO: Leanne and Kyla
WHAT: Full Tilt , CD Release Party
WHERE: Dubh Linn Gate
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 1, 8 p.m.
Grab a Guinness and raise your glass. Two of the valley?s finest musicians are set to release their debut CD.
Leanne and Kyla have become staples at The Dubh Linn Gate Old Irish Pub, and due to constant requests, they?ve laid down a piece of their Celtic stage energy for all to take home.
"Every night we get asked if we have a CD," says Kyla.
Full Tilt
combines the duo?s more popular traditional tunes with four originals. The selection of songs truly illustrates the pair?s versatility. Leanne?s sweet Irish lilt on the original Laddie-O conjures up a longing for green rolling hills. However, she also possesses enough grit and power to sing the sauciest tales of sailors and wakes.Tender and emotive, Kyla?s fiddle playing can at times sound more like a second voice. But make no mistake, that bow can be driving and explosive, leaving a listener out of breath. If it?s possible to express all those qualities in four minutes, Love Has Wings is it. This original is sweet and haunting, a love song set over driving and dark fiddle.
The title, Full Tilt , couldn?t describe Leanne and Kyla better. If you?ve ever witnessed a performance at Dubh Linn Gate, you?re familiar with the foot-stomping, clapping, dancing and general drunken-good-time they inspire. Oddly, the name and graphics took longer to prepare than the actual recording.
"The recording only took a week," says Leanne.
"But it took a long time to choose a photographer for the graphics and then we had a lot of phone conversations brainstorming for a title," adds Kyla.
"We even tried flipping through the dictionary!" They both laugh.
Recording was done in One Drop Studios in Black Tusk with Whistler musician/engineer Rob DeMarco. Leanne and Kyla took their time shopping for studio time between Whistler and Vancouver, but decided on One Drop and DeMarco for his experience and efficiency.
"Rob is exceptionally good on the equipment he has," explains Leanne. "Although we could have gone into a studio with more advanced equipment, it could have taken a lot longer without the right person to operate it."
"We were a bit concerned about keeping the budget down and were counting the hours spent in the studio. Rob was really fast and was surprised at how fast we were too," adds Kyla. "Sometimes we could get a song down in one take."
Although the CD has its obvious value of a little extra income during shows, as well as a gift of appreciation to audiences and friends for their support, the two also agree it?s a confirmation of their artistry. Leanne recorded a CD of original music about five years ago with various Whistler musicians. Kyla enjoys recording on her home digital 8-track and recently was a guest musician on the upcoming release by Vancouver hip hop musician Kyprios. To finally have their combined talents on CD is much-needed growth step for the pair, as well as a marketing tool for the future when they hope to explore the Mainland and Vancouver Island.
Don?t miss their release party Sept. 1 at Dubh Linn Gate, where they?re bound to raise a little ruckus. And get there early ? these lasses have a strong local following and their high energy is always a draw with tourists.
"Bongo" Rich Doucette (who also guests on Full Tilt ) will be keeping the pace and turning the volume up a notch on drums.
Local businesses have been very generous with door prizes. You can win everything from jerseys to canoe trips to dinners for two. To enter, just purchase a CD.
"But it?ll also be interactive. They?re going to have to earn the prizes," smiles Kyla.
The fun gets started at 8 p.m. sharp and goes to about midnight, or "until we start dropping our instruments!"
